Stealth road racing geo-oriented commuter suggestions

[FR8CAR]

Hi folks, I'm looking for ideas for a fast durable racing geo style bike to commute and get out on longer weekend rides. Currently riding a versatile aluminum gravel bike that is fine, but it can be clunky. Not looking for anything flashy or obviously exotic and something more on the stealth side would be the preference as I lock it in a parking garage in my building.

Thanks in advance for suggestions. And budget - eh, not sure yet...

[ultraman6970]

Find an old 80s racing frame for pennies and paint it black :p

[parris]

^This... Or if you don't want to paint it use some black electrical tape.

[mktng]

my 80's marinoni strada is my daily commuter.
even with a 30# bag on the cetma rack..the thing rips.
plus its comfortable

definitely makes commuting "fun"

so definitely pick up/source out an old steel race bike!

[Ken Robb]

This made me smile remembering the old chestnut: fast, durable, cheap. Pick two. :)

[Drmojo]

it is LIGHT, durable and cheap
Pick two
Sorry to be persnickety

[Clean39T]

Plasti-dip spray paint is your friend here - rubberized coating and comes back off if needed.

[Mark McM]

There isn't much practical difference between a standard road geometry frame and a "race" geometry frame - the differences are more in how the rider is fit to the bike, than the bike itself.

What particular features do you need to make it a commuter bike? Racks and fenders? Wide tires? (or, dare I venture there, disc brakes?) These types of things will probably be the bigger factors when looking for a suitable frame.

[FR8CAR]

Not looking for racks, fenders, discs, or wider tires although I'd be fine w the last two. I have those aspects w/ the gravel bike. Relative to road vs race, I guess the aim is to have a road bike that is built and fit to go fast.

Also, it doesn't have to be dirt cheap although I'm fine with that, just not sure how much I want to spend.

There isn't much practical difference between a standard road geometry frame and a "race" geometry frame - the differences are more in how the rider is fit to the bike, than the bike itself.

What particular features do you need to make it a commuter bike? Racks and fenders? Wide tires? (or, dare I venture there, disc brakes?) These types of things will probably be the bigger factors when looking for a suitable frame.

[GregL]

Not looking for racks, fenders, discs, or wider tires although I'd be fine w the last two. I have those aspects w/ the gravel bike. Relative to road vs race, I guess the aim is to have a road bike that is built and fit to go fast.
Based on that description, I'd lurk on craigslist or eBay for a ~10 year-old Cannondale road bike. Anything from the CAAD7/Otimo bikes to the present day have essentially the same geometry. Older CAAD3 through CAAD6 models ride well enough, although their geometry isn't (IMO) as refined. Put on some rugged 25C tires and you're good to go for your planned commute.

Greg

[IFRider]

I am partial to the '89 Schwinn Paramount OS I have. I can fit 28mm on open pro under the same era Shimano Dual Pivots. Built by Waterford Cycles. There was a less expensive version in the early '90s built in japan that is also very nice and same specs.

here is an example albeit in white (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterford-Schwinn-Paramount-OS-Frame-Fork-Barely-Used-1990-Campagnolo-USA/302713260522?hash=item467b1dc9ea:g:Y-gAAOSwpaxazLz0)

Not looking for racks, fenders, discs, or wider tires although I'd be fine w the last two. I have those aspects w/ the gravel bike. Relative to road vs race, I guess the aim is to have a road bike that is built and fit to go fast.

Also, it doesn't have to be dirt cheap although I'm fine with that, just not sure how much I want to spend.

[93KgBike]

One great thing about an older steel racing model is being able to get a good 32c slick on there. The paint on mine was shot, and I used hockey tape on the drops. In the 10 years I commuted on it, only two guys noticed that it was the same bike Eddy Merckx won his first TDF on.

[Andy sti]

Chinese carbon. Inexpensive and you can find whatever you want. Order from a known company- Miracle, Hungfu, etc

[azrider]

I agree with others who’ve recommended older steel bike from 80’s/90’s

This was my CL find for dirt cheap and I smile every time I ride it. My commute hits pavement, MUP’s, canal and it tackles it all no prob

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180426/0f6d5571897917226e8aa13be3e6d9f6.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hellgate]

I'm loving my 1980 PX10. Plenty of room for large tires. 531 and Corsa's are a wonderful mix.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180426/cc44b2b8ddc5614a551a46302fe6b496.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180426/7811f36774e8ff093f97e220eb181279.jpg

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

[stien]

Modern or vintage leanings? Preferred aesthetic? Modern aluminum road bikes can be had cheap and have great performance.

[FR8CAR]

Modern or vintage leanings? Preferred aesthetic? Modern aluminum road bikes can be had cheap and have great performance.

I tilt more to modern. Even so, the vintage 80s/90s ideas so far are interesting.

[stien]

If it were me I’d get an emonda alr. Used cheap, nobody will steal it, awesome performance and large tire clearance.

[Bentley]

If it were me I’d get an emonda alr. Used cheap, nobody will steal it, awesome performance and large tire clearance.

I agree totally with this, I have seen an Emonda with 33's which I thought was crazy for a pure Road Bike. My second pick would be a Colnago Strada, I had one until it fell off my bike rack and I drug it for 30 miles. Third pick, Cannondale, a CAAD 9/10 is a great pick.

[FR8CAR]

Thanks - will start the hunt.

[Zee]

And if you are really committed, you could spray bomb it.

ALR is a great call.

[Gummee]

And if you are really committed, you could spray bomb it.

ALR is a great call.

BMC also makes an ALR. Rides nicely. AMHIK

If you want 'cheap' and name brand: older Allezes or Tarmacs from the Big S, older Emondas from the Big T, CAADs from the Big C, etc.

I'll second the chinese carbon sentiment tho. For $400ish you get a fast, comfortable, non-branded frame you can hang whatever parts on you want. If you want something special, you can have them paint it however you want. If you ride a 54, I have a deal for ya...

M

[FR8CAR]

5'11 and my gravel is a 56...maybe I could make a 54 work.

[sparky33]

Mason Definition 2 (https://masoncycles.cc/shop/categories/definition-bikes)
not cheap but racy and still practical.

or any old CAAD frameset...fast, cheap AND light

Not looking for racks, fenders, discs, or wider tires although I'd be fine w the last two. I have those aspects w/ the gravel bike. Relative to road vs race, I guess the aim is to have a road bike that is built and fit to go fast.

Also, it doesn't have to be dirt cheap although I'm fine with that, just not sure how much I want to spend.

[FR8CAR]

Mason Definition 2 (https://masoncycles.cc/shop/categories/definition-bikes)
not cheap but racy and still practical.

or any old CAAD frameset...fast, cheap AND light

Nice masons but too nice.

[FR8CAR]

Still on the prowl. If anyone has something interesting in this category, hit me up.

[GregL]

Still on the prowl. If anyone has something interesting in this category, hit me up.
Prowl your local craigslist. $350 will buy you a nearly-new Cannondale: https://syracuse.craigslist.org/bik/d/2016-cannondale-caad8-claris/6579603605.html

Greg

[FR8CAR]

I’m all over the local CL.

[FR8CAR]

And looking for a bit higher component level than that Caad8 ad.

[FR8CAR]

Anyone have thoughts on Parlee Z5? A couple of them have been up in the classifieds in black w/o much fuss and I like the look. Also thinking about building up a caad road disc frame that I can share wheels with. Thanks

[Seamus]

This might be too pretty for a daily ride, but Ritchey seems to have quietly dropped their Road Logic frameset price to $875 (though out of the smaller sizes):

https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/road-bike/frames

[FR8CAR]

Changing my approach as nothing has really grabbed me. If anyone is looking to offload a 56 caad or evo disc frame or full bike let me know. Thanks